By Joy Mbachi
Anambra Government has taken delivery of its allocated vaccines under the Livestock Productivity And Resilience Support (L-PRES) project, for mass vaccination of livestock against major Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) in Nigeria.
The vaccination program under the L-PRES Project aims to improve animal health, enhance livestock productivity, food safety and security in Nigeria.
Dr Sanusi Abubakar, L-PRES National Coordinator, represented by Mr Lukeman Hassan, Animal Husbandry Technical Assistant, made the presentation in Awka on Thursday.
He said that the L-PRES project was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria which prioritised the transformation of the livestock industry and to strengthen the national health system project in the state .
He said that the vaccines delivery exercise to the participating states of Abia, Anambra, Imo, Jigawa, Kastina, Osun. Ogun and Lagos formed part of the L-PRES nationwide transboundary animal disease vaccination exercise .
Hassan said that it was a key intervention aimed at improving diseases prevention and control, enhancing livestock productivity, protecting pastoral and farming livestock and supporting national food security objectives.
He also noted that the support of the media coverage of the activities would help showcase government’s commitment to livestock sector reforms.
It would also promote public awareness on animal health intervention and highlight the impact of World Bank supported initiatives in Nigeria.
“We procured vaccines for the foot and mouth diseases vaccine which is for goats, sheep, and cattle.
“ We have Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) for mostly cattle; the goal is to strengthen animal health services in Nigeria and control transboundary animal diseases nationwide to improve productivity and food security,” he said.
Hassan assured that all the states of the federation would be covered in the exercise.
Dr Rose Ejidike, State Director, Veterinary Services Department, receiving the vaccines from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development through the L-PRES projects, reiterated that the activity was to control TADs toward improving livestock productivity.
Dr Chuka Ibekwe, from the state veterinary department, represented the state director.
He assured the L-PRES team that the vaccines donated to the state would be well used to ensure that the goals of ensuring safety of animals and provision of healthy food for the people were actualised.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)